New Zealand v England: fifth women’s T20 cricket international – live

Look, there are no dead rubbers, not in a World Cup year. Sure, England have an unassailable 3-1 lead going intotoday’s fifth and final T20I, but this series was only ever partly about winning. Both New Zealand and England are still working out their squads and XIs for the T20 World Cup in September, and this match should give them more protein for the noggin.

Maia Bouchier has already taken the fast lane into the England squad, and perhaps the first XI, with two performances of coruscating brilliance in Nelson and Wellington. A third successive fifty would make her undroppable, if she isn’t already, going into the home summer.

England may decide to have a look at some of their fringe players, including Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Filer in particular. There are eight more T20Is this summer, so this isn’t the be-all and end-all for this players, but life can move pretty fast when a World Cup is on the horizon.

Sophie Devine’s quad injury means New Zealand will have to make at least one change as well. We’ll have the toss and team news shortly.

The match begins at midnight GMT, 1pm in Wellington.